For the third time this week these two managers would face off calhockey vs Redal. Ecuador being the last team selected into the Americas group qualifying stage knew they were the underdogs with the likes of Falcao and Rodriguez lining up across from them. Columbia dominated play with there 4-3-3 formation while all Ecuador could do was work the counters and keep them to low percentage shots in their 3-5-2. Ecuador has very weak defenders and goaltending but they proved to be strong enough to perserve the clean sheet and lead Ecuador off in the right direction towards qualifying for the world cup with a 1-0 win. Jefferson Montereo would get the lone goal of the game in stoppage time of the first half and countless posts and corners by Columbia showed luck was on Ecuador's side but lets see what happens as they get set for their second game against the USA.

AP - Santiago, Chile.
La Roja kicked off their World Cup aspirations at home with a tough earned win against CONCACAF heavyweight Mexico. The Chileans knew the visitors would be a tough opponent even though they recently had a change of coach at the last minute. The home squad got on the board early in the 12th minute as Arturo Vidal was able to find Eduardo Vargas in the box. Vargas then was able to fend off a defender and slot the ball past Memo Ochoa for the lead. The home squad continued their assault keeping Ochoa very busy in the first half. El Tri nearly equalized off of a corner kick in the 2nd half, hitting the cross bar. The teams traded shots back and forth with both ultimately coming up with goals each which were disallowed. In the end La Roja was able to hold on for their first qualifying victory. GG SoFresh_Kev​

AP - Santiago, Chile.
La Roja kicked off their World Cup aspirations at home with a tough earned win against CONCACAF heavyweight Mexico. The Chileans knew the visitors would be a tough opponent even though they recently had a change of coach at the last minute. The home squad got on the board early in the 12th minute as Arturo Vidal was able to find Eduardo Vargas in the box. Vargas then was able to fend off a defender and slot the ball past Memo Ochoa for the lead. The home squad continued their assault keeping Ochoa very busy in the first half. El Tri nearly equalized off of a corner kick in the 2nd half, hitting the cross bar. The teams traded shots back and forth with both ultimately coming up with goals each which were disallowed. In the end La Roja was able to hold on for their first qualifying victory. GG SoFresh_Kev​

Colombia come from behind to earn their first 3 points of group stage qualification. Messi put the home side ahead on the counter, but 2nd-half sub V. Ibarbo (on for the dreadful Falcao) grabbed an equalizer from a scramble following a corner before James gave the Colombians the lead. Higuain would have a one-on-one opportunity late to tie the match, but his shot rang off the post and away.

Cavani & Suarez Combine To Down Mexico
Uruguay's national team is perhaps best known for the attacking duo of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, and that duo proved their worth in Uruguay's opening match in World Cup Qualification. Traveling to the not-so-friendly confines of the Estadio Azteca, Uruguay was looking to jump out to a lead within Group B if at all possible. The match however remained 0-0 by halftime and neither team could find the back of the net until we reached everyone's favorite minute, the 69th minute. Alvaro Gonzalez, who worked his way into the starting XI due to his form in recent friendlies, crossed the ball into the box. It appeared that Mexico was safely set for a clearance, but with the defenders failing to get a touch on the ball, Edinson Cavani was able to swoop in with a diving header and put Uruguay up 1-0. Mexico then scrambled to try and find an equalizer, but Cavani's partner in crime Luis Suarez sealed the game in the 90th minute with a goal from a very difficult-angled free kick. "Those two carry us, and that was shown in today's match," said Coach Bronc. "Our defense held the clean sheet and our strikers finished. Perfect recipe for success if you ask me!" However, despite the win, Coach Bronc wasn't all smiles. "The conditions today at the Azteca were poor to say the least. I think everyone in TFS knows that whenever you get matched with Mexico, you can expect the game to... not play as smoothly I guess you could say. So perhaps it was only fitting to see that in our game today as well. Regardless though, I know their manager will be better prepared when they travel to Uruguay in a few months, so we'll take our 3 points for now and look to defend our turf when the time comes."

Ecuador Fans flying high, While the United States of America are protesting nationwide

The Number one question on everyone's mind heading into the USA vs Ecuador game was why on earth was the American Superhero Tim Howard not in the starting XI. Ecuador flying high after their opening round upset over Columbia didn't take long to find the board against the USA and made it 1-0 just 3 minutes into the game. Just 13 minutes later they would strike gold again and make it 2-0. USA controlled the ball but Ecuador's counters proved to tough to handle as they held the American to Zero shots on target after the first half. Ecuador would strike 6 minutes into the second half to make it three to zero. Ecuador then parked the bus and although the USA dominated possession they would find it difficult to get to prime scoring positions and although they had a few chances couldn't find pay dirt. For the second game in a row A. Dominguez would record a clean sheet. Ecuador however are worried because their best player received an unnecessary yellow card late in the game and if he is suspended for a game the talent pool isn't very deep for them so it could prove costly if they lose him later in the qualifying stage.

Suarez Double Gives Uruguay Crucial Qualification Win
With Uruguay and Chile level in second place with 3 points apiece in the qualification group, this match would set the tone for each team going forward. And early on, Chile was the team to strike first. Gaston Ramirez was called for a foul in the box, leading to an Arturo Vidal penalty. "If I comment on the call, I'll be fined. I'll leave it at that," said Coach Bronc of the penalty call. Time then appeared to be running out for Uruguay to find an equalizer, as the score remained 1-0 halfway through the second half. Then in the 68th minute, Luis Suarez headed in the tying goal. Five minutes later, Walter Gargano made it 2-1 in favor of Uruguay. Uruguay looked to ramp up the defense shortly after that goal, but Fabian Orellana tied it up for Chile in the 83rd minute. With the match looking set for a draw, a result that wouldn't harm either side too much, Uruguay won a free kick in a dangerous spot 31 yards out. Luis Suarez stepped up and nailed the free kick to put Uruguay in the lead 3-2 and the home fans in a frenzy. The match wasn't over just yet though. In the 90th minute, Alexis Sanchez appeared to have a step on the Uruguayan defense, but LB Alvaro Pereira, who earlier assisted on Suarez's first goal, managed to get a toe out to deflect the shot away from net. The ensuing corner saw Chile hit the woodwork, but a clearance thereafter ended the game for good. "A fantastic result for our team and a special game to be a part of," Coach Bronc said following the match. "We got the points we desperately needed, and now we'll hope to follow that up with some more in the return leg."

Bogota - In what is likely a case of Too Little, Too Late, The United States pulled off a surprise victory over Colombia and manager RedAL925 when its one and only shot on target found the back of the net halfway through the first half. This match was evenly matched, as both managers looked to move the ball around and find the gaps to unlock their opponents. Despite the home side South Americans having the majority of possession and shots on goal, there really seemed to be no threat from either side for most of the match.
The one and only goal came in the first half when the American right winger Alejandro Bedoya threw a cross into the box that was cleared by the Colombian defense, but only as far as Landon Donovan, who came out of retirement for one final shot at World Cup glory. Donovan had his choice of trying to thread a tight needle to Jermaine Jones in the area or feed it to an oncoming Michael Bradley, who was still well outside of the 18-yard box. Donovan opted for the easier pass and Bradley took one touch and curled an inch-perfect ball into the far corner of the Colombian net.

While the goal and the victory secured the United States three points, they stand very little chance of emerging from a very difficult group and will need to play lights-out football in the return legs against both Argentina and Ecuador if there is any chance of them advancing to the big dance.

What could have been? Colombia's attack finally breaks out in rout of United States. Los Cafeteros were fortunate to have a lead in the first place, with all the bounces going their way. Falcao's brace was the highlight of the match, but neither team is likely to be advancing to the World Cup later this month.